FILE | 84 | ALTERNATIVE FABRICS for the AIRMAN BATTLE UNIFORM (ABU) - Attachment 1

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2008 FBO #2482
DOCUMENT

84 -- ALTERNATIVE FABRICS for the AIRMAN BATTLE UNIFORM (ABU) - Attachment 1

Notice Date: 9/10/2008
Notice Type: Attachment 1
NAICS: 315999 — Other Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Contracting Office: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, 77AESG -Aeronautical Systems Group, 7980 Lindbergh Landing, Brooks City-Base, Texas, 78235-5119, United States
ZIP Code: 78235-5119
Solicitation Number: SSAFCO1006
Response Due: 11/10/2008
Point of Contact: Rebecca D Mackey,, Phone: 210-536-6395
E-Mail Address: rebecca.mackey@brooks.af.mil
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. Any formal solicitations will be announced separately. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for information or sample fabric provided in response to this RFI. The 648th Aeronautical Engineering Systems Squadron (AESS) is conducting market research for alternative fabrics to be used for the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU). The ABU is the uniform worn by airmen for everyday missions. The 648th AESS is seeking new concepts for fabrics and finishes that will improve the current uniform in a way which effectively mitigates heat. The possible solution may be to provide a lighter weight fabric option, and/ or a fabric that is similar in weight but provides advanced breathability, and moisture management. The fabric needs to have a permanent press finish that holds a permanent crease in the sleeves and trousers and be equal to or better than the current nylon cotton (NYCO) twill fabric. In summary, 648th AESS is seeking... (Not limited to):  New finishes  New construction  New fiber selections  Lighter weight  Combinations of the above Requirements for the alternative fabrications for the ABU:  Fabric equal to or better than current NYCO twill  Permanent crease in sleeves and trousers  Permanent Press finish 1.0 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS Specifically, this RFI seeks information and samples to prove the following requirements: a. Exemplary fabric strength that can be maintained under demanding wear and laundering conditions. b. Strong color performance properties to ensure longevity of the ABU appearance. c. Reduction in weight of goods from the current AFDTS fabric (PD-YACL-05-1 16 May 2006), and/or the perception of a lighter weight garment as a result of advanced moisture management/breathability. d. Fabrics with the ability to hold a permanently set crease in the garment (both initially, and after multiple launderings). e. Fabrics with the ability to be garment permanent press finished. All added finish technologies should be compatible with such processing. f. Fabric compatible with the current pattern configurations. g. Fabrics complying with Berry Amendment requirements. h. A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for fabric cost estimate per yard. i. Information demonstrating that fabrics are readily available in greige form, and fiber to make greige is also available. If there are any concerns with timing to procure limited production quantities of the submitted sample, please advise. j. Fabric that can be successfully and consistently printed. k. All samples produced in the Air Force digitalized tiger stripe (AFDTS) camouflage pattern. l. Finished garments meeting permanent press laundering requirements. Please provide submissions demonstrating performance/protection equal to or better than currently provided by the existing ABU. Please reference FQ/PD-06-08 31 October 2006 for Garment and PD-YACL-05-1 16 May 2006 for fabric. All fabrics/samples received in response to this RFI will become US Government (USG) property and will not be returned. The USG holds the right to test any of the garments. 2.0 TESTING AND REQUIREMENTS Please see Attachment 1 3.0 INFORMATION APPROACH When the responses to this RFI are received, each will be evaluated and analyzed by the Government. All information, samples, or fabrics received in response to this RFI will be treated as FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY and considered propritory and shall not be released outside of the Government. 4.0 DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.210 (e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. 5.0 RESPONSE GUIDANCE Respondents to this RFI shall submit fabric samples and all testing documentation to the AFUO at the address below: Responses will include the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact (POC) having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with the AFUO. Fabric sample submit should be no less than 5 yards. It is preferred that the testing documentation and technical data be sent in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format via email. Please reference the table in section 2.0 for detailed testing requirements. Request comment from interested parties to the following questions: 1. Would you consider entering into a Blanket Purchase Agreement with the Government? If not, please explain why. 2. If you do not consider the use of multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreements to be the best contractual vehicle for fulfilling this requirement, what contractual vehicle would you suggest? 3. What is your business size? If you are a small business, do you also qualify under any of the following sub-categories: 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business, HubZone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and HBCU/MI? 4. If you are a small business, would you consider submitting a proposal as a prime contractor? 5. In what socio-economic programs do you now participate (e.g. Mentor Protégé, Indian Incentive, etc.)? What is the extent of your participation in these programs? 6.0 CONTACT INFORMATION Rebecca Mackey Contracting Officer 77 Aeronautical Systems Group Brooks City-Base TX 78235 Rebecca.Mackey@brooks.af.mil Captain Gail Hammer ABU Program Manager 648 Aeronautical Systems Squadron Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433 Gail.Hammer@WPAFB.af.mil Ms. Katie Leahy ABU Technical Lead 648 Aeronautical Systems Squadron Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433 Katie.Leahy@WPAFB.af.mil Mail Samples to: Air Force Uniform Office 1901 10th St Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433 ATTN: Captain Hammer
Web Link: FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=e24a6fe5dbf28e24151425b16ce0c18c&tab=core&_cview=1)
Document(s): Attachment 1; File Name: Testing and Requirements Documentation (TESTING AND REQUIREMENTS.doc); Link: https://www.fbo.gov//utils/view?id=8547228b6483781c405805e169b5e953; Bytes: 36.00 Kb; Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
Place of Performance: Address: 648 Aeronautical Systems Squadron, 1901 10th St, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433, United States; Zip Code: 45433
Record: SN01665741-W 20080912/080910221449-e24a6fe5dbf28e24151425b16ce0c18c (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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84 -- ALTERNATIVE FABRICS for the AIRMAN BATTLE UNIFORM (ABU) - Attachment 1